Work continues on local campuses

May 25, 2011

Construction continues on three buildings at Heidelberg and Tiffin universities.

Heidelberg is building a residence hall with a commons area on Greenfield Street, and Tiffin University is constructing a recreation center on Miami Street and a residence hall on Clay Street.

Michael Grandillo, TU's vice president for development and public affairs, said the recreation center's eastern section, which is the track area, is under roof. The steel structure is being constructed for the field house, which is the western portion of the building.

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PHOTO BY JILL GOSCHEWork continues on Tiffin University’s new residence hall for sophomores on Clay Street.

PHOTO BY JILL GOSCHEHeidelberg University is constructing a residence hall for sophomores on Greenfield Street.

He said construction at the recreation center should be "full go" throughout the year.

"The field turf section is being constructed now," he said. "That will include 60 yards of field turf."

The interior of the track facility and the connector building probably will be started in September or October, Grandillo said.

Grandillo said construction was held up in the winter because of typical conditions and during the spring because of an abnormally rainy season, not because of funding.

TU is seeking to raise $12 million through a capital campaign, with $9.4 million to fund the recreation center, $1.6 million to be used for campus development and $1 million for endowed scholarships.

Grandillo said it has raised $9.5 million through pledges and donations, and he expects to raise the $12 million within the next two years. Officials are confident the money can be raised and construction will be completed, weather cooperating, he said.

Grandillo said construction for the residence hall for sophomores is on schedule to be completed for occupancy in August. A crew has been applying exterior brick and developing the inside, and drywall, amenities and final touches are to be done over the summer.

"It's all under roof," he said.

Rod Morrison, assistant vice president for facilities and engineering at Heidelberg, said construction of the residence hall, which is for sophomores, is going well.

"We're on track for completing the project on time, in early August," he said.

He said construction of the commons space is to be completed on roughly the same schedule, although it is a little behind.

The critical area to finish is the residence hall portion of the project so

students are able to move into it, he said.

Morrison said a lot of the work is focusing on the roof, exterior application of stone and stucco finish, and catching up on lost time because of the bad weather. Several rooftop heating, ventilating and air conditioning units have been set, smaller windows have been installed and larger windows are starting to be installed.

Upcoming tasks include cleaning up the site and installing exterior features of the building.

"We could be painting walls as early as the first week in June," he said.